Beckenham Controlled Parking Zones carving up the neighbourhood, bad for you, bad for business too

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Permalink Reply by Jackie on March 25, 2012 at 10:43

I've just received a letter through my door to say the Clock House CPZ is being extended in May/June to include an extended part of Clock House Road, plus Balgowan Road, Belmont Road, Colesburg Road, Cromwell Road, Hampden Avenue and Hampden Road.

Admittedly, we're victims of the 'doughnut effect', but it's hard to see the whole thing as more than a revenue-generating scheme for the council.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Clarke on March 25, 2012 at 20:39

Can I get a copy of that? I would like to publish it of here so that more people are aware of the ever changing charging area and the next wave of poor residents the problem will push to outside their doorsteps

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Permalink Reply by Mat Hammond on March 26, 2012 at 18:17

I'm all for it.  It should mean we can park in front of our house during the week, rather than having to fight for a space with all the tight-was commuters who drive in and then catch the train.

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Permalink Reply by PReeves on March 28, 2012 at 12:37

Dear Mat - Im sure you were well aware of commuter parking issues when you purchased your house - and no one has the 'right' to park outside thier own house, every member of road tax paying public has the same right to park there as anyone else.  

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Permalink Reply by F Thomas on March 28, 2012 at 21:09

Dear John

To be fair to Mat...it is actually quite useful in day-to-day life to be able to park somewhere vaguely near one's own house occasionally.  I find it so patronising when people (like you) 'point out' that no-one has a 'right' to park outside one's own house.  I think it can be safely assumed that we all know that. We ALL really, really already know that. But thanks for pointing it out anyway.

The CPZ in my road has made my life a whole lot easier.  I can recommend them.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Clarke on March 28, 2012 at 21:18

I wonder what the feeling is when a household has 2 or 3 cars? Arguements either either way over rights etc then I'm sure. The main point is that you give up a freedom for your own self satisfaction without caring about the consequences for residents yards or a street away. It's then all about 'me' and not about 'us' or the community sorting out their own problems. Councillors from miles and miles away who have no way of being held to account by you happily rake in more money, appease a property developer or a large supermarket and to be honest treat you all with contempt for questioning anything that they might do, even though they have not gone about their business as openly, in-depth or helpfully as they should.

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Permalink Reply by F Thomas on March 28, 2012 at 21:36

But the commuter who parks without charge in a residential road isn't thinking about the 'us' community. They are thinking that it's cheaper and easier for them to park near a station irrespective of any hassle it may cause local residents.

They ('the commuter parker') purchased cheaper/larger houses far from rail stations knowing that they would prefer to drive closer to a rail station rather than walk (God forbid) or bus or cycle. 

Far better if we all give up our cars and use public transport.  Or walk.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Clarke on March 28, 2012 at 21:42

And none of us has not parked in front of someone else's house at some point in our lives for some reason?

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Permalink Reply by F Thomas on March 28, 2012 at 21:55

I'm sure we've all parked wherever it's legal and free. But when residents of areas heavily-used by commuters get fed up with the commuter parking; complain to the council; respond to a consultation and eventually get what they (the majority) asked for -eg a CPZ... Then those seeking free parking near a rail station need to look elsewhere. Or pay to park/walk/get the bus...

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Permalink Reply by Jon Clarke on March 28, 2012 at 22:00

The majority is of those polled who returned their questionnaires and not a majority of those who live in the street. Big difference. Therefore it could be said the minority in some roads are able to get their way which is not democratic at all. The Council's system is flawed and wrong in so many ways.

Back to John's point to that no one has a right to the highway so why should some people claim a space for them over others? What make's them any different?

There are other ways to tackle parking, but the Council will not entertain any. No long term strategic plan, but to divide and rule what are lovely neighbourhoods

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Permalink Reply by Simon Waterfield on March 28, 2012 at 22:12

lol democracy doesnt work. How many people voted in the last general election and how many of those got the tories in? I see no reason at all why those locals who have an opinion and vote in any sort of majority get what they are voting for?

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Permalink Reply by Jon Clarke on March 28, 2012 at 22:18

Yes, we all are happy for democracy to be just that when it suits us but not actually make democracy work or be accountable. In the case of polling everyone on a street, it's not politics, it's their everyday life, it's their freedoms, and whether they have to pay for something or not for what was free. Every house should be made to give an answer and then a true result would be agreed by all. We choose to allow wooly as the norm. We shouldn't.

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